Giffard Park Primary School

Science

Introduction

At Giffard Park Primary School, Science has a vital role in developing well-rounded pupils. Science stimulates and excites pupils’ curiosity about natural phenomena while allowing them to understand how scientific ideas contribute to technological change. We aim to give all pupils a strong understanding of the impact of science in their everyday and future lives by asking them to think scientifically and gaining an understanding of the scientific processes and the implications in the real world through an engaging curriculum.

Each lesson develops the pupils’ scientific skills through practical activities focusing on observation, enquiry, planning and investigations, and encouraging ongoing pupil questions based on their scientific experiences.

Aim

The National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
• Develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science today and in the future

As well as these, Giffard Park Primary School aims to:

• Develop pupils’ enjoyment, excitement and interest in science through enriching activities
• Build on pupil’s curiosity about the natural world
• Use a planned range of investigations and practical activities to give pupils a greater understanding of science concepts and knowledge.
• Develop pupils’ basic practical skills and their ability to make accurate and appropriate measurement
• Introduce pupils to scientific language and vocabulary
• Extend the learning environment for our pupils via our environmental areas

Curriculum/Scheme of Work

We introduce pupils in Key Stage 1 to science through focused observations and explorations of the world around them. These will be further developed through supportive investigations into more independent work at Key Stage 2.

Planning

• The Science Curriculum at Giffard Park Primary School demonstrates clear progression. 
• Lessons are engaging and inspiring;
• Practical investigations that focus on one specific scientific skill at a time;
• Lessons include pupil-led research or enquiry to develop knowledge 

Lessons will allow for a wide range of scientific enquiry, including the following:

• Questioning, predicting and interpreting
• Pattern seeking
• Practical experiences
• Collaborative work
• Carrying out investigations
• Carrying out time-controlled observations
• Classifying and grouping
• Undertaking comparative and fair testing
• Researching using secondary sources

Teaching

Science is taught one afternoon a week. Weekly lessons can take a variety of structures depending on whether the lesson is knowledge-based, a teacher-led experiment or pupil investigation. All classes include: a starter activity focused on learning from a previous lesson, opportunities for discussions and questions; mixed ability tables or partners; a piece of recorded work in science books, and a reflection or activity to recap and assess progress.

Other opportunities 

Children take part in STEM-themed days, where the whole school spends the week immersed in scientific topics and investigations. 

In addition, children in Year 4 have had the opportunity to explore water, habitats and electricity by travelling on the Grand Union Canal via canal boat.

Year 5 have previously attended the space centre to extend their learning on their scientific topic: space.